Tuxedos in Movies: James Bond’s Midnight Blue Tuxedo in ‘Skyfall’

By: Michael Armstrong

After decades of trend setting, nobody needs me to explain who the figure is pictured above. At this point, James Bond is nearly as recognizable as Santa Claus. You know Santa, right? Red Suit? Big white Beard? Jolly? Good. Now, as weird of a comparison as it is, James Bond and Santa Claus do have something in common that is relevant to the picture above. They are both largely recognized for what they wear. James Bond has a taste for the finer… finest things in life, and so it’s not uncommon for him to be sporting a black tie tuxedo while he saves the world. What IS uncommon however is James Bond sporting a Midnight Blue Tuxedo.

Director and Designer Tom Ford has long been one of the biggest names in mens sartorial fashion in America. Because of that, Tom Ford is making all of the tuxedos that appear in this year’s newest Bond movie, set to release in late October. Mr. Ford has a very conservative edge when it comes to formal wear. His take is to stick with the basics and just do that better than anyone else. He’s known for succeeding in that endeavor. So why does a designer known for being conservative when it comes to black tie attire put James Bond in a blue tuxedo? The answer actually makes a lot of sense.

Midnight blue is an appropriate substitution for black in black tie attire, and is actually considered by many to be MORE formal than black. And if you’ll excuse the pun, that rule doesn’t just come out of the blue. It’s all about the darkest dark. Under certain lights, black tuxedos can take on a greenish hue. Under these and many other lighting conditions, midnight blue actually looks blacker than black, and therefor more formal than black. So now, what seemed to be a step away from Bond’s typical evening wear is actually a step up.

007’s new midnight blue tuxedo (or dinner jacket as he would say) is already generating a lot of internet buzz. Swaggering around in the first midnight blue tuxedo Bond has worn in 50 years (1962 – Sean Connery – Dr. No – See Jimmy’s comment below) puts this year’s Bond on pace to be the best dressed Bond ever. These are exciting times for secret agents, and particularly frustrating times for any secret agency wishing he’d just keep a low profile.

Get the Look

If you like Bond’s new look, you’re going to love the brand new Midnight Blue ‘Maxwell’ Tuxedo by G. Alexander, available for rental from a Paul Morrell Partner near you!

Watch the official Skyfall trailer below:

Michael Armstrong is the resident staff writer for MyTuxedoCatalog.com, the web’s premiere resource for mens rental formal wear styles, news & information, and local listings. He aims to provide the most up to date industry and style information available, while sharing the many venues and ways that mens formal wear presents itself every day. Michael would like to take this opportunity to wish joy to the world, to all the boys and girls now. He’d also like to extend joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, but especially, joy to you and me.

Thanks Paul Morrell for being the leader you are and have always been.

Jimmy

This is NOT the first midnight blue dinner jacket worn by Bond. In Dr No, Sean Connery wears a midnight blue dinner jacket at the very beginning of the film, and Ford designed this one for Craig as a modern intepretation of that one, what with it being the 50th aniversary and all. The posters do look a little odd though, but thats due to the lighting.

MArmstrong

Well that one certainly skirted right past my radar. Thanks for the info! I’ve updated the blog post to reflect the truth about the original midnight blue Bond tuxedo. Cheers!

Andrew Martin

Even in Quantum of Solace, the tuxedo color is midnight blue. But Skyfall Tuxedo created more hype than any other one because of being used in most of promotional posters. The lighting effect also makes it more vibrant in color.

It seems that Bond (Tom Ford) has decided that the midnight blue dinner jacket should have matching pants. The Maxwell seems matched to black pants in the photos above. Is it appropriate to match a blue jacket with black pants?

MArmstrong

The images of the Midnight ‘Maxwell’ were provided by the manufacturer and are meant to point out the jacket’s flexibility. For a proper black tie tuxedo, the midnight blue jacket should be paired with matching midnight blue trousers, which are available. But, as the pictures above illustrate, the black features of the jacket (i.e. Lapel, besom pockets, buttons) correspond well with black trousers as well, for a slightly less formal dinner jacket look.

In short, both matching trousers and black trousers create a very suave look. Depending on the formality of the evening, you’ve got some options. To see this coat with matching trousers, check it the product page:

Thanks for asking! The Midnight ‘Maxwell’ Tuxedo pictured above is a modern cut tuxedo, so not quite as trim as a slim, but slimmer than a classic cut. Typically a good middle ground.

Dan

are these available to purchase?

MArmstrong

Hello Dan!

Thanks for asking! Unfortunately, as far as I know, the Midnight ‘Maxwell’ Tuxedo is not yet available to purchase. It is available to rent from any PM Partner. You can find a store near you using the site’s locate function:

How would I match this midnight suit with a purple dress? Purple square tie?

john

How do you buy this tuxedo?!

Shaka

I’m a bond enthusiast and minor collector and I’m thinking of sporting this tuxedo at my wedding, however I would like to accessorize it with the bronze vertical V vest (V VE26) a the bronze ombré long tie (TP25C) or the bow tie in same color ? I would like comments and suggestions, my fiancé is Indian and will be wearing a traditional Saree, and would like to accent one of its colors.